On this episode of W2M, we dive in and discuss everything that is out there about WWE Smackdown going live on July 19 and the brand split. What does this mean for WWE? The USA Network? NXT? And even the wrestling world in general? We discuss the pros and cons of having a brand split again and if going live is really going to make Smackdown feel special. What does WWE need to make it work this time? The answer might either be rather obvious or it might surprise you.
We also get into how WWE could split the rosters, if there is going to be an intention to create two shows with different identities, or if it will be more of the same with exclusive rosters. Will five hours in two nights be too much for the casual WWE audience? There’s just so much to get into here that we waste no time getting into it.
There’s also some other wrestling news like Eden leaves WWE, the AAA Lucha Libre World Cup being set, CMLL bringing back the World Grand Prix, the latest on some WWE injuries, and more.
Sean recaps Smackdown, we have our discussions on NXT and Lucha Underground too.
The guys talk about the latest results from NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors XXIII Tournament
Then they finish it out with TNA Impact Wrestling and the W2M Power Rankings as well.
——— Time Stamps ———-
(2:00-1:00:00) WWE Smackdown goes Live and Brand Extension Returns Discussion
(1:00:00-1:12:15) Wrestling News: Eden asks for release, AAA Lucha Libre World Cup set, Sasha Banks cleared, CMLL World Grand Prix, & More
(1:12:15-1:31:00) WWE NXT
(1:31:00-1:43:00) WWE Smackdown
(1:43:00-1:53:00) Lucha Underground
(1:53:00-2:10:40) TNA Impact Wrestling
(2:10:40-2:18:10) NJPW BOSJ Nights 4 & 5
(2:18:10-End) Superstar of the Week
Wrestling 2 the MAX: Smackdown Going Live, Brand Split Returning, & NJPW BOSJ
Wrestling 2 the MAX is the “Every Wrestling Fan” Pro-Wrestling podcast because it covers everything from WWE, NXT, TNA Impact, and ROH to other global entities like Lucha Underground and New Japan Pro Wrestling. This show comes to you twice a week and is informative, fun, and meant for every kind of pro-wrestling fan out there. Wrestling 2 the MAX airs live on early Tuesday and Friday mornings at Midnight EST (on Spreaker.com) and then is available immediately after airing on-demand via I-Tunes, Stitcher, LAST WORD RADIO on I-Tunes and Stitcher, Tune-In Radio, Youtube (Via W2M Network) The Spreaker App and other podcast hosting locations. W2M also has a Facebook group you can join and listeners can follow them on twitter @W2MSean, @W2MGary, or the entire network @W2MNetwork
Sean Garmer: studied Journalism at the University of North Texas. Sean loves pro-wrestling so much that he even trained to be a wrestler at the age of 17. Though he eventually had to quit wrestling to go to college, he still returned to do play-by-play commentary, help write storylines, and most of all, to watch matches. Sean started his love of pro-wrestling at the age of five after watching a Hulk Hogan match. Due to his family hating sports-entertainment, there were many years he missed. However, he returned full-time to being a fan in the late 1990’s. Since then, Sean has gone on to write for various wrestling websites in a number of capacities, but he discovered his true passion, Podcasting, two years ago when he and Gary started the Wrestling 2 the MAX Podcast.
Gary Vaughan: is a native North Texan with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas. His time in college actually rekindled his love of pro wrestling he had lost somewhere along the way. Gary’s enjoyment of the sport began around 1996. As a fan, he has become a student of the wrestling business and gains knowledge through many platforms. WCW is dear to his heart because of it being his introduction to the scene. Now, Gary is a proud podcast host, as well as a writer for wrestling columns.
Paul Leazar: Has History degree from the University of North Texas, but right now works at a Comic Book store. He was born an’ raised in the great state of Texas, and began his love affair with pro wrestling at the tender age of five after watching WWF’s Summerslam 1993 pay-per-view. The relationship turned serious with the growth of independent wrestling and the internet in the early 2000’s, which has seen the love affair turn into a full blown addiction that led him to write about it sporadically for various websites, and co-host the Wrestling 2 The Max podcast.
